Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-07-14
he WILL NOT BE THERE.
The Presidents Letter Declining 10
Attend the st. Louis En-
campment.
He Gives in Full His Reasons for Be-
heving It Is Better He Should
Stay Away.

Stay Away.
ASSOCIATED Press Telegram from st. Louis
The following letter, addressed to the
Mayor OF st. Louis, who was the chair
man OF the committee of representative
citizens OF st. Louis who verbally in
yited the President to visit the city
during the holding of the encampment
OF the Grand Army of the Republic
next September, explains itself without
further comment:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON, DE-
The Hon, David r. Francis, Mayor and Chair
| MY DEAR sIR-when received the extreme.
~ cordial and gratifying invitation from the
cltizens OF 81 Louis rendered by a number Of
ner representative men, to visit that city dur
ing the national encanpment OF the Grand
Ar Army Oh the hepublic, had been contemplat-
ing Tor some time the acceptance OF an invita-
tion from that organization to the same effect
ana mad considered the pleasure which it
| would afford me, II IL should be possible to
! meet not only members OF the Grand ARMY
| Dut the people Of ST. Louis and other
cites IN the West which the occasion
The exactions OF my public duties I felt
TO DO so uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation of which you
were the mead expected to do no more at that
time than TO promise the consideration OF the
double invitation rendered me aud express the
pleasure IT would give me to accept the same
thereafter II possible. But the cordiality and
sincerity OF your presentation, re-enforced by
the heartiness Of the people who surrounded
you, 30 impressed me that 1 could not resist the
feeling which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that l would be with you and the
Grand Army Of the Republic at the time
aeslsnated, II nothing happened in the mean
ehe 70 hDsolutely prevent my leaving Wash
ington.
Immediately upon the public announcement
OF this conclusion expressions emanating from
certain important members of the Grand Army
OF the hepuolic, and increasing in volume and
ferred to go to the extent of declaring that
would be an unwelcome guest at the time and
place OF the national encampment. This state
ment is based, as well as 1 can Judge, upon
certain official acts of mine, involving import
ant public interests, done under the restraints
and obligations OF my oath Of Office which do not
appear TO accord with the wishes of some men,
| bers OF the Grand Army OF the Republic re-
fuse to believe that this organization, founded
| upon patriotic ideas, composed very largely of
men entitled to lasting homer and consideration
and whose crowning glory IL should be that
| they are American citizens as well as veteran
soldiers, deems 1t a part of its mission to COM
pass any object or purpose by attempting to in
tmidate the executive or coerce those charged
| with making and executing the laws. And yet
the expressions to which have referred indi-
cate such prevalence of unfriendly feeling
and such monaco to an occasion which should
be harmonious, peaceful and cordial that
they cannot be ignored. beg you to un-
| derstand that am not conscious
| of any act of mine which should make me fear
to meet the Grand Army Of the Republic, or
any other assemblage of my fellow citizens.
| The account Of my official Stewardship is al-
| ways ready for presentation to my countrymen
should not be frenk IL failed TO confess.
| while disc laiming all resentment, that / have
| been hurt by unworthy and wanton attacks up
on me growing out Of this matter, and tho
! reckless manner in which my actions and mo-
tives have been misrepresented, both publicly
| and privately for which, however, the Grand
Army of the Republic, as a body, is by no
| means responsible.
The threats of personal violence and harm
In case undertake the trip In question, which
| scores Of misguided, unbalanced men under
| tho stimulation Of excited feeling have made,
| are not even considered. Rather than abandon
| my visit to the West, and disappoint your citi-
zens, might, II alono were concerned, sub
NIT to the insult to which it is quite openly
asserted would be helplessly subjected II
| present at the encampment; but should bear
| with me there the peoples highest Office the
| dignity of which must protect; and believe
that neither the Grand Army OF the Republic
| as an organization, nor anything like a ma
LOFTY yns oi lis mSmSe6s: att would would ever encourage
among tho membership of this body there
are some as certainly seems to be
| the case, determined TO denounce me and my
| official acts at the national encampment, be-
leve they should be permitted to do so unre-
strained by my presence as guest Of their
| organization, or as q guest OF the hospitablo
city in which their meeting is held. num-
| bor of the Grand Army posts have signihed
their intention, am informed, to remain away
| at that time. Without considering the merit
OF such an excnse, / feel that ought not to be
the cause Of such non-attendance. The time
and place Of tho encampment were fixed long
before my invitations wero received. Those
| desiring to participate in its proceedings should
| bo first regarded and nothing should be per-
mtted to interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration of more Importance
than all others remains to DO noticed. The fact
was referred to by you when you verbally pre-
sented the invitation of the citizens of ST. Louis
that the coming encampment OF the Grand
! Army of the Republic would be the first held in
/ a outhern State. suppose this fact was men
toned as pleasing indication of tho fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout tho en-
tire land, and hailed by every patriotic citizen
as an earnest that the Union has really and in
fact been saved in sentiment and spirit with
/ all the benefits it vouchsafes to united
people. can not rid myself OF the belief
| that the least discord ON this propitious occa-
| sion might retard the progress of the sentiment
| of common brotherhood which the Grand Army
| of tho Republ has so good an opportunity to
the cause Of such disccrd In any event or upon
any pretext. 1t seems to me that you and
the citizens of sc. Louis are entitled to
| this unreserved statement of the conditions
| which have constrained me to forego my con-
templated visit and to withdraw my acceptance
| of your invitation. My presence in your city at
the time you have Indicated can be OF but little
moment compared with the Importance Of the
cordial and harmonious entertainments OF your
| other guests. j assure you that abandon my
| plan without the least personal feeling except
| regret, constrained thereto by sense of duty,
/ actuated by desire 10 save any emDhrTaSB-
| ment to the people OF St Louis or their ex-
| pected guests, and with heart full of grateful
| appreciation OF the sincere and unaffected
| Kindness of your citizens. Hoping the encamp-
| ment may be an occasion of much usefulness,
| and that it's proceedings may illustrate the
| highest patriotism OF American citizenship, I
am yours, very sincerely,
The Presidents letter has stirred up
hot and diversified expression Of
opinion. The committee that took the
invitation to the President feel that their
labor has been in vain, and are strong
in their denunciation of the men who
were instrumental in the defeat of their
plan. Their friends are equally dis
pleased, espec ally so as the citi-
zens generally of st. Louis
had made great effort
to induce the President to make the
visit The chagrin of many was so
great that they wished to organize i'm
mediately to invite the Grand Army to
find another place for their encamp-
ment, and some promised q very icy
reception to the gallant soldiers.
There were many others, however,
who saw the wisdom of the Presidents
course, and were pleased that the city
had been relieved of what promised to
be an unpleasant affair. Many feel that